This is a calendar of events for September 2016, for the Joplin, Missouri area, including the nearby cities of Neosho, Carthage, Webb City and Carl Junction as well as Pittsburg, KS; Grove, Oklahoma; and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Please check with venue for any cancellations or postponements.

For links to Missouri Southern State University-Joplin's "themed semester," Great Britain go here.

continuing 1-17: The Joplin History & Mineral Museum is hosting the Missouri State Archives exhibit "Mapping Missouri" which includes over 100 examples of cartography from the archives' special collection of never before seen maps and illustrations. Hours are Tuesday from 10 a.m. -7 p.m. and Wednesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

1-19 (closed Tuesdays): The exhibit American Made: Treasures from the American Folk Art Museum will be shown at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas. More than 115 handmade artworks, including quilts, carvings, signs, samplers, weathervanes and whirligigs will be on display. Tickets are $10 per person and free for members and youth ages 18 and younger. General admission to view permanent collections is free. Summer hours Saturday-Monday through Labor Day are from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

continuing 1-30: The exhibit “Fashionable Ladies of Carthage,” which features many hats, is showing at the Powers Museum, 1617 Oak St., Carthage. The museum hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. and the fourth Sunday of the month from 1:30-4 p.m. for special programs. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. For more information call (417) 237-0456 or send an e-mail here. Follow the Powers Museum on Facebook and check out the website here.

continuing 2, 16, 30: The Alliance will organize Joplin School football game tailgate events for students and parents beginning at 4-6:30 p.m. in front of the football stadium. Tailgating activities will include a drunk goggle course, puzzle activity, wrecked cars, fire prevention smoke house and more! Each activity is geared to reach students and parents about issues surrounding impaired driving, driving without a seatbelt, fire safety, and more. The Alliance organizes events to encourage teens to be drug and alcohol free and safe behind the wheel. Different activities will be held at each tailgate event. During the drunk goggle course and puzzle activity students will experience the visual effects drinking and driving has on a person. Wrecked cars will be at one event showing participants the importance of using a seatbelt in a collision. The fire prevention smoke house will be used to demonstrate the importance of a fire escape plan.

continuing 3, 10, 17, 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22: A free Saturday morning sports clinic will be held beginning at 9 a.m. at the Freeman Orthopaedics & Sports, 3105 Mcclelland Blvd., Joplin. Middle school, high school and college students injured in Friday night football matchups or other fall sports will have access on a first come, first served basis to orthopaedic specialists whether injured during practice or competition. To schedule an appointment due to a chronic injury phone (417) 347-5400 during regular business hours.

3, 10, 17, 24; Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: A free Saturday morning clinic will be held beginning at 9 a.m. at the Freeman Orthopaedics & Sports, 100 N. Pine St., Pittsburg, KS Middle school, high school and college students injured in Friday night football matchups or other fall sports will have access on a first come, first served basis to orthopaedic specialists whether injured during practice or competition. To schedule an appointment due to a chronic injury phone (620) 231-3750.

5: This is the deadline at 11:59 p.m. to place a bid to win tickets and accommodations for two (SLS Las Vegas Hotel & Casino) to the 2016 Professional Bull Riders World Finals in Las Vegas on November 2-3, 2016. Bidding has opened at $1,000. To place a bid go here.

6 (first Tuesday of month): Women and men who are going through or have survived breast cancer are invited to attend the monthly Freeman Breast Cancer Support Group. It will take place from 4:30-6 p.m. at All Aboard Ice Cream, 102 Castle Dr., Joplin. Free.

8:"The Complete History of America (abridged)" will be performed by the Reduced Shakespeare Company at the Thomas Jefferson Concert Hall, 3401 E. Newman Rd., Joplin. Learn 600 years of history in just 6,000 seconds. General admission is $18 per person. To select a seat go here. A reception with the artists follows the show.

8: The Missouri Dept. of Conservation invites you to participate in a tree walk starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Leonard Park shelter (500 block of Turk Ave.), Joplin. Forester Jon Skinner will lead the walk highlighting identification and benefits of each species seen on the walk.

continuing 8, 15, 22, 29 (Thursdays until Dec. 8): Creation Station, a weekly drop-in class with Autumn Neuenschwander will take place at the Spiva Center for the Arts, 3rd & Wall, Joplin, from 3:45-5 p.m. for ages 6-12. Experiment with a variety of media. The cost in advance is $6 ($8 at the door); pre-registration is recommended by phoning (417) 623-0183.

9-10: The 24th Annual Diamond Gem City Days will take place in Dieckhoff Park on Depot Street. Bring your own seating. On Friday the Mark Chapman Band is featured performing from 7-9 p.m. Highlights for Saturday's events include biscuits and gravy served from 7-9:30 a.m. at the Diamond Christian Church, 205 E. Market St., Diamond; a parade at 10 a.m.; talent show from 11 a.m. to noon; chicken pageant from noon to 1 p.m.; the Kufara Marimba Band from 2-3 p.m.; HH Cloggers from 3:15-4 p.m.; Jamey Damrill Band from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and Big Smitty from 7-9 p.m.

10: A memorial event honoring those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, featuring former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, former Missouri Senator Jim Talent and U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and other special guests, will begin at 2 p.m. in Taylor Auditorium on the campus of Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. A historical document will be unveiled that will be on display in the Joplin Museum following the event. No admission but reserved seat are required. To register go here. Editor's note: This appears to be more of a Republican political rally than a bipartisan recognition. :-(

10: The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will hold a cable restraint trapping certification class 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the meeting room of the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, 520 Park St., Neosho. This free course will cover the basics of safely and legally utilizing cable restraints to capture furbearers. Regulations, proper set location and cable restraint construction will be discussed. When used correctly, cable restraint devices can hold animals alive and allow trappers to release non-target animals unharmed. The devices can be used to take furbearers during the state’s furbearer trapping season (Nov. 15-Jan. 31). In order to use cable restraint devices, Missouri wildlife regulations require that people must first successfully complete a cable-restraint training course taught by a certified instructor. For a training manual go here. People may pre-register by calling MDC Wildlife Management Biologist Frank Loncarich at (417) 451-4158.

10: A Simply Chic Artisan Market selling home furnishings and decor, jewelry and bath products will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at 13th and Main, Joplin.

10: Prairie Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond. The free event that includes storytelling, music, living history and exhibits about Carver's childhood environment, is held in conjunction with the city of Diamond's Gem City Days. Featured all day in the music tent are Ripplin Creek performing a blend of bluegrass and gospel tunes, folk music performer/storyteller Lemuel Sheppard and folk music and dances performed by the Farnum Family. Across the grounds you will be able to watch a banjo builder, learn about Civil War medicine, enjoy a quilt show, and see a display of wild edibles from Master Gardeners. Learn more at the exhibits about geology, birding, and archaeology. Visit with Missouri Master Naturalists about grassland plants and animals. Storytellers will entertain and educate during horse-drawn accessible wagon rides. The Diamond Lions Club will provide a food concession. Walk the trail to the 1881 Moses Carver House and watch basket weavers, dip a candle, watch a blacksmith, see wool spinning and weaving, learn about gardening and food preservation, and churn butter. Enjoy Hawthorne Old Time String Band, Ripplin’ Creek bluegrass and Civil War-era music from Holmes Brigade Minstrels.

12: This is the deadline to register for a polymer clay class for creating forest and fairies treasure boxes for children 6 and older (6-12 must be accompanied by an adult). It is also the deadline to register for making polymer clay covered ink pens for anyone 16 or older. The first class will be held from 9 a.m.-noon on September 17, in the kitchen of the Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center in Joplin. The second class will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Sept. 19, location TBA. The cost for the first class is $25 for one, $12 for each additional family members (adults helping children free). The cost for the second is $32 with discounts available. To register phone (417) 825-3318 or send an e-mail here and wait for reply.

13-17: Southern Theatre will present Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit in the Bud Walton Theatre at Missouri Southern State University-Joplin. Curtain is 7:30 p.m. The show, directed by Dr. Jim Lile for MSSU's Great Britain semester, follows novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric local medium, Madame Arcati, to conduct a séance at his home while he researches for a book on the occult. Little suspecting her actual abilities, Charles suddenly finds himself haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, much to the displeasure of his second wife, Ruth. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and non-MSSU students, and free for MSSU students, faculty and staff. For tickets phone (417) 625-9393. The Southern Theatre box office is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

15: This is Third Thursday from 5-8:30 p.m. in downtown Joplin. Local shops will be open with special sales. Performance stages are positioned along Main Street. For background info go here.

16: As an introduction to the 2nd annual Joplin Arts Fest, the Spiva Center for the Arts, 3rd & Wall Joplin, will sponsor an artist's reception from 6-9 p.m.

17: The 4th annual Grapes & Grog fundraiser of the Area Agency on Aging to benefit the Meals on Wheels program for seniors in Jasper Newton, Barton and McDonald counties will take place from 5-9 p.m. at the Joplin Elk's lodge, 1802 W. 26th St., Joplin. Tickets are $35 each and may be purchased at Macadoodles of Joplin, Joplin Elk’s Lodge, and the Area Agency on Aging central office at 531 E. 15th Street, Joplin.

17: The 2nd annual Joplin Arts Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from 4th-7th streets along Main in Joplin. Besides the artists displaying and selling their wares, featured are an assortment of performing artists, informational booths and children's art opportunities. Proceeds will benefit youth-oriented programs supported by Kiwanis Club of Joplin.

continuing 17; Oct. 15; Nov. 19: The free monthly tree limb drop off for Joplin residents (no load limits) will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1702 N. Schifferdecker Ave., Joplin (six tenths of a mile north of Belle Center Road on the west side of Schifferdecker). Leaves, grass clippings, trash, etc. will not be accepted. Commercial contractors will not be allowed to drop off tree limbs. This program is open the third Saturday of the month March through November, unless there is a weather event that warrants another date being set. Joplin residents should also note that the City’s residential trash service through Republic Services allows yard waste removal on their regular trash pick-up day. Limbs must be cut to a maximum of four (4) feet and bundled. Bundles shall be no heavier than 50 pounds. The diameter of each tree limb shall be no larger than four (4) inches. Burn permits may be purchased with checks or money orders ($5 for 3 consecutive days) at city fire stations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday-Saturday. (subject to personnel availability).

18: Shattered Sun on tour with Scar Symmetry, Arsis and Painted in Exile will perform at the Riot Room, 4048 Broadway Kansas City, MO. Curtain is at 7 p.m. 21+ only. General admission tickets are $17 each. Go here. They will be introducing Hope Within Hatred, their latest Victory Records debut hitting number one on the CMJ loud rock charts. For an official music video go Snowberry DGC in Joplin. For more information go here.

23-25, 30; Oct. 1-2: Death of a Salesman, a play by Arthur Miller that won the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play, will be presented at the Stone's Throw Dinner Theatre, 2466 Old 66 Blvd., Carthage. For dinner shows Friday-Saturday doors open at 6 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and show begins at 7:30 p.m. For Sunday performances doors open at 12:30 p.m., dinner is at 1 p.m. and show begins at 2 p.m. Admission is $26 for adults, $23 for seniors, $22 for students with ID, $21 for youth (6-18) and free for children 5 and younger. On opening night vets' tickets are $18 each and groups of 20 or more are charged $22 per person. (Taxes are included in ticket prices.) Reservations may be made by calling the theatre at (417) 358-9665 or send an e-mail here.

24: Country artist Tony Justice will be part of the Chrome Shop Mafia's Guilty by Association Truck Show at 4 States Trucks, 4579 Hwy. 43, Joplin. Curtain is 8:30 p.m. Free admission. For truck registration info go here.

continuing 28: A car seat check will be conducted from 9-11:30 a.m. by XPO Logistics, 4701 E. 32nd St., Joplin sponsored by the Alliance of Southwest Missouri. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when used and installed correctly, child safety seats effectively reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants (under age one) and by 54% for toddlers (ages one to three) and children in booster seats (ages four to eight). Car seats also may be purchased for $20 each.

28: This is the approximate deadline in which to sign up for a showing of the adventure film documenting the transnational centennial. Less Traveled: A Journey from Pine to Palm produced by Josiah Laubenstein and Darrell Johnston is about the Jefferson Highway. It will be shown at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on October 1, at the Powers Museum, 161 Oak St., Carthage. The Jefferson Highway is the continent's first trans-national highway. Starting in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada, and finishing in New Orleans, Louisiana, the highway was an "auto trail" for early roadsters as early highways were at the time (1910s to 1926). This year the Jefferson Highway is celebrating the centennial of its establishment and route designation through key terminal cities including many in the four-state region such as Fort Scott and Pittsburg in Kansas; Nevada, Lamar, Carthage, Joplin, Neosho, Anderson and Noel in Missouri; Sulphur Springs, Gravette, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Fayetteville and Fort Smith in Arkansas; and Galena, Baxter Springs, Miami and Vinita in Oklahoma. The entire Jefferson Highway covered over 2,200 miles. Much of it can still be traveled today including some original portions that are dirt or rock as in the early days. The film is about an hour and half long and there will be a Q&A session afterward. However much of the route is paved although eventually was overtaken by state highways that are known today as US 71, 69, MO 59 and others. For advanced reservations phone (417) 237-0456 (leave message after hours) or send an e-mail here.

29: Twiztid will perform at the Riot Room, 4048 Broadway, Kansas City, MO. as part of the Spooktacular Horror Show 2016 Fall Tour along with special guest Mac Lethal. Doors open at 7 p.m.; showtime is 7:30 p.m. 21+. For tickets at $25 per person go here.